It only took about an hour to find our way out of Timisoara. Round and round we went until we found a sign in roughly the right direction. From there we used a canal and railway track to hit a small road out through the slums of the city. It really was depressing, piles of rubbish, dogs roaming the streets and buildings in a terrible way. The roads we had chosen today were always going to be remote, the dangers of yesterdays drivers had presuaded us to take the long way around. What we saw was a real insight into Romanian peasantry. The villages we passed through were years and years behind. A real highlight was a wedding procession led by a merry troup of musicians. Everybody we passed today gave us a quizzacle look. We were somewhere that not many bike tourists go. The dogs showed little interest, our fears of wild canines subsided as we became more attached to the scraggy little mutts that lined the roads. We passed shepards with their flocks. We passed tractors with 5 people in and at one point I saw a car with cabbages packed so tight there was no room for a passenger

. Lunch was late so we braved a bar where a few old boys had been on the home brew all day. A couple of chicken sandwiches and we were good to go. Sunday lunch number 6 was absolutley the most mad. The two old boys actaully gave each other a snog as they left. The local lads were very interested in our bikes, legs and waterproof bike shoes. The stray at the door was very well behaved and only approached when food was offered. The lady cooking was very nice and spoke amazingly good English. The train passing though the village gave us a ten minute break to look around, the poor chap winding the railway gates up and down was less relaxed. The roads then deterioated into mud tracks. The bikes again took a battering and my front left fork now has a crack down it, this makes the pannier rack redundant but also means the bike it now quite wobbly, we are not even out of Europe yet! We pushed for the border worried that the light would beat us, we had unknowingly lost an hour today due to the time zone change. The border crossing took ages, a long line of cars with the border police much more intersted in eating than moving the traffic along. We coasted through the Romanian part with our UK passports and then stopped for the Serbian guards to have a chat. The in between was busy with refugees and it was quite a tense feel, a good time to pedal fast for the last 10 miles to Vrsac. That made it 67 miles for the day, and much of it on third world surfaces. We arrived in Vrsac and did not mess around with looking for a cheap bed. We went to the biggest building in town which has provided a good meal and even music. I really hope they stop soon though, we all like a bit of local culture but this noise is a joke. It is Sunday for heavens sake. The clocks have changed again apparently, we have just regained that lost hour!

Children running around hotel shouting till 2am!!! 200 children and only 4 teachers not a good combination. Never mind, we had a lovely bed to sleep in and just had the most enormous serbian style fryup followed by chocolate truffles! Should definitely fuel us to Belgrade for tonight. Love to everyone xxxx

triciagick@googlemail.com
on Oct 18, 2010 at 07:44AM

Come on you two - what's happened to your teaching skills - riot control is what it's all about! Glad you out of Roumania at least and relieved that you diddn't try and fight the traffic - good move to take the long slow route. Latest thoughts about India for us is - fly to the South (view Kerala - to see where all our Abu Dhabi friends came from) and take a train north and finally fly back from Delhi. Investigating vaccinations today xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

triciagick@googlemail.com
on Oct 18, 2010 at 07:45AM

Photo's gone AGAIN! X

Teresa
on Oct 18, 2010 at 06:45PM

Hi Guys, Sounds as though you are having an interesting trip.Stubbington last week. You were right Polly, I loved it! Weather was great, activities awesome. Only one black cloud all week, (if you know what I mean), otherwise all else great. Run on Sun. I'll let you know how I get on.Keep safe.Teresa x

Olaf & Elspeth
on Oct 19, 2010 at 07:03AM

Morning guys! Was great to hear you last night - even if you couldn't hear us! hee hee. Anyway I hope you have a great day chilling out a little and we can catch up a little more succesfully today! xxxxxxx

Ray
on Oct 19, 2010 at 10:00PM

Hi there, hoping to get mum and dad sorted with skype tomorrow eve, Dave and I will pop round - sorry we've taken so long. Hope you're both well. It's getting cold here, hope you haven't had to cycle in anymore downpours recently.LoveRay xxx

Alice Palace
on Oct 20, 2010 at 01:16PM

Hello. Ruthie and I had a rubbish time in Romania when we where interailing round Europe. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. Glad you have made it out safe and sound with minimal bike damage

Great to talk to you yesterday - I loved the sound effects of the coffee machines in the back-ground. Another stunning day in Bos - hope you rain has stopped and you are making good progress.

All love Jojo & Christopher

auntbymarriage
on Oct 20, 2010 at 06:03PM

AAAAAAAARGHHHHHH. Was supposed to be renewing car insurance and got ENTIRELY distracted by your brilliant blog. Now have no new insurance and am late for bridge at Windmill. Much love to you both xxxxxxxxx

Who is auntybymarriage.........is it who I think it is??So great to speak to you yesterday. Mikey, have you shaved off your facial hair yet? Good luck with your journey to Sofia (still convinced it should be in Italy ;-) )I am making plans for New Year/my 21st so getting excited about that - have found a big house to stay in in Somerset - sure you can't just pop back??Lots of love xxxxxx

Hi Guys - Another week sped by - at least I have been working for the majority of it which is unusual. Trafalgar Night last night so CJB (standing in for George) went with Elizabeth to the dinner at the club - great fun had by all from garbled report at 12.30 last night and an admission from CJB that he might have a bit of wine still in his veins as he went off to work! E phoned to see if she could join me for lunch as she was feeling a little bit the worse for wear.

Weather here continuing to be glorious although we did have a frost yesterday morning so clearing of windscreens was required. As Amanda Mae is coming home for half term I think I will get the fatted calf out the freezer for a spot of Roast beef in Sunday but I think Elizabeth & George are trying (yet again) to get a lesson on how to surf their paddle boards.

Looking forward to the next installment from you two! All love Jojo and Christopher

Tina Humphrey
on Oct 22, 2010 at 07:15PM

Hooked on following your blogs ... Friday night treat to read where you are & what you have seen. Such an amazing adventure. Lots of children at school also wanting to know where you are ... great geography lessons. Thank you for sharing this with us.Half term here ..... don't expect you have even thought of that little treat!!Happy safe cycling.

Alison Cunnington
on Oct 24, 2010 at 11:26AM

Me too hooked on your blog. Catch up with you every weekend to see how your week has gone. All sounds amazing - you will have some fantastic memories. Weather is sunny but cold and yes as Tina says we have reached half term. Must say I am glad for a week off - been so busy and glad that all the moving out of River Site has come to an end.Take care both of you. xx

Hiya guys, well I hope everything is going really well and you are safely in Sophia now! ..ah Olaf has awoken from his nap (hmmm the blighter is only napping for 20 minutes these days - madness!) so had best go get him but all well on the home front, we miss you and look forward to chatting again soon! xxxxx